U.S. patent number 10,442,587 [Application Number 15/818,630] was granted by the patent office on 2019-10-15 for child-resistant senior-friendly medication bottle closure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CVS PHARMACY, INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is CVS Pharmacy, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bennett P. Daley, Ryan Neil Peter Hall, Michael David Miller, Daniel Nelsen, Peter Rezac, Timothy Andrew Vanderpoel.
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00000.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00001.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00002.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00003.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00004.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00005.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00006.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00007.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00008.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00009.png)
![](/patent/grant/10442587/US10442587-20191015-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent |
10,442,587 |
Daley , et al. |
October 15, 2019 |
Child-resistant senior-friendly medication bottle closure
Abstract
A pharmacy container comprising a bottle and a closure is
described herein. The bottle includes a body, a neck, stops on the
neck defining a lug retention area. The body defines a storage
chamber therein. The neck extends away from the body and defines an
opening to the chamber of the body. The neck includes threads
extending around an outside surface of the neck. The stops extend
from a bottom of a first thread toward the body, the stops defining
the lug retention area. The closure is secured over the opening and
around the neck. The closure includes a lug configured to interface
with the thread and engage with the lug retention area to retain
the closure in place over the opening. Other labels, bottles,
associated combinations, and associated methods are also
described.
Inventors: |
Daley; Bennett P. (Waltham,
MA), Hall; Ryan Neil Peter (Clinton, MA), Miller; Michael
David (Tewksbury, MA), Nelsen; Daniel (Central Falls,
RI), Rezac; Peter (Sterling, MA), Vanderpoel; Timothy
Andrew (Hudson, MA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CVS Pharmacy, Inc. |
Woonsocket |
RI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CVS PHARMACY, INC. (Woonsocket,
RI)
|
Family
ID: |
60473631 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/818,630 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180127175 A1 |
May 10, 2018 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
15344999 |
Nov 7, 2016 |
10011406 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
41/0407 (20130101); B65D 50/046 (20130101); B65D
50/063 (20130101); B65D 1/0246 (20130101); A61J
1/1418 (20150501); A61J 1/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
50/06 (20060101); A61J 1/14 (20060101); A61J
1/03 (20060101); B65D 1/02 (20060101); B65D
41/04 (20060101); B65D 50/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;215/44,43,217,201,222,332,329,316,218,216,209,211,382
;220/302,301,296,293,288 ;D9/560,559,563,443,435 ;206/459.5 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Grumpy Foot, Square Bottle by Ex-Apple Engineers, 2017 earliest
online date, retrieved from
https://www.grumpfoot.com/square-bottle-by-former-apple-engineers/,
Sep. 7, 2017, 3 pgs. cited by applicant .
International Search Report and Written Opinion for
PCT/US2017/059602, dated Feb. 1, 2018, 15 pgs. cited by applicant
.
Lulusoso, Perfume Bottle Cap, May 29, 2012, earliest online date,
retrieved from
http://sell.lulusoso.com/selling-leads/1961487/Perfume-Bottle-Cap-Square--
shape-Plastic-material.html, Sep. 7, 2017, 7 pgs. cited by
applicant .
Murphy, "Unhappy Target customers send strong message on pill
bottles," Sep. 27, 2016, retrieved from
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-09-unhappy-customers-strong-message-p-
ill.html, 4 pgs. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hicks; Robert J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Patent Law Works LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.
15/344,999, entitled "Child-Resistant Senior-Friendly Medication
Bottle," filed Nov. 7, 2016, the entire contents of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A closure for a bottle, the closure comprising: a top panel; a
skirt having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge of the
skirt coupled with the top panel; an outer frame having a top edge
and a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the outer frame coupled with
the second edge of the skirt opposite the top panel and extending
toward the top panel with an outward flare such that the top edge
of the outer frame is located radially outward from and is not
directly connected with the top panel; and a plurality of lugs
extending radially inward from the outer frame, the plurality of
lugs configured to interface with threads on a neck of a bottle and
engage with a plurality of lug retention areas to retain the
closure in place over the neck.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the skirt includes: a first
skirt portion coupled with a first edge of the top panel; and a
second skirt portion coupled with a second edge of the top panel,
wherein the first edge of the top panel is opposite the second edge
of the top panel.
3. The closure of claim 2, wherein the outer frame includes: a
first frame portion including a first lug of the plurality of lugs;
a second frame portion including a second lug of the plurality of
lugs, the second frame portion opposite the first frame portion; a
third frame portion coupled with the first skirt portion; and a
fourth frame portion coupled with the second skirt portion.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the first lug and the second lug
are configured to release from a first lug retention area of the
bottle and a second lug retention area of the bottle under an
external force applied inwardly to the third frame portion and the
fourth frame portion.
5. The closure of claim 3, wherein the second edge of the first
skirt portion opposite the top panel is coupled with an inner
surface of the third frame portion and the second edge of the
second skirt portion opposite the top panel is coupled with an
inner surface of the fourth frame portion.
6. The closure of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of grip
ribs on the third frame portion and the fourth frame portion.
7. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a ring protruding
downwardly from an interior surface of the top panel, wherein the
ring is configured to interface with the neck of the bottle to seal
an opening to the bottle.
8. The closure of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of
reinforcing fins extending from an inner surface of the skirt.
9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the top panel is square
shaped.
10. A closure for a bottle, the closure comprising: a top panel
having a first edge and a second edge; a first skirt portion having
a top edge and a bottom edge, the first skirt portion top edge
coupled with the first edge of the top panel; a second skirt
portion having a top edge and a bottom edge, the second skirt
portion top edge coupled with the second edge of the top panel,
wherein the first edge of the top panel is opposite the second edge
of the top panel; an outer frame having a top edge and a bottom
edge, the bottom edge of the outer frame coupled with the first
skirt portion bottom edge and the second skirt portion bottom edge,
the outer frame extending toward the top panel with an outward
flare such that the top edge of the outer frame is located radially
outward from and is not directly connected with the top panel; and
a plurality of lugs extending radially inward from the outer frame,
the plurality of lugs configured to interface with threads on a
neck of a bottle and engage with a plurality of lug retention areas
to retain the closure in place over the neck, wherein the plurality
of lugs are configured to release from the plurality of lug
retention areas of the bottle under an external force applied
inwardly to the outer frame.
11. The closure of claim 10, wherein the outer frame includes: a
first frame portion including a first lug of the plurality of lugs;
a second frame portion including a second lug of the plurality of
lugs, the second frame portion opposite the first frame portion; a
third frame portion coupled with the first skirt portion bottom
edge; and a fourth frame portion coupled with the second skirt
portion bottom edge.
12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the first lug and the second
lug are configured to release from a first lug retention area of
the bottle and a second lug retention area of the bottle under an
external force applied inwardly to the third frame portion and the
fourth frame portion.
13. The closure of claim 11, wherein the bottom edge of the first
skirt portion is coupled with an inner surface of the third frame
portion and the bottom edge of the second skirt portion is coupled
with an inner surface of the fourth frame portion.
14. The closure of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of grip
ribs on the third frame portion and the fourth frame portion.
15. The closure of claim 10, further comprising a ring protruding
downwardly from an interior surface of the top panel, wherein the
ring is configured to interface with the neck of the bottle to seal
an opening to the bottle.
16. The closure of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of
reinforcing fins extending from an inner surface of the first skirt
portion and the second skirt portion.
17. The closure of claim 10, wherein the top panel is square
shaped.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a pharmacy container system
that improves the ease of use of a child-resistant senior-friendly
(CRSF) and non-child-resistant (non-CR) closure for the pharmacy
container
2. Description of the Background Art
Virtually everyone consumes prescription pharmaceuticals at one
time or another. A history of incidents involving children opening
and ingesting the contents of prescription medication bottles has
led to regulation requiring child-resistant (CR) packaging.
However, CR medication bottles can present a problem for some aged
individuals or people with disabilities. Consequently, further
regulation requires that CR designs be tested to verify that most
adults can open the package. The resulting medication bottles have
child-resistant senior-friendly (CRSF) closures that typically
require two distinct motions to open the bottle. In view of at
least the above issues, CRSF prescription medication containers
that make a prescription medication bottle easier to use are
desirable.
SUMMARY
A pharmacy container comprising a bottle and a closure is disclosed
herein. The bottle includes a body, a neck, stops on the neck
defining a lug retention area. The body defines a storage chamber
therein. The neck extends away from the body and defines an opening
to the chamber of the body. The neck includes threads extending
around an outside surface of the neck. The stops extend from a
bottom of a first thread toward the body, the stops defining the
lug retention area. The closure is secured over the opening and
around the neck. The closure includes a lug configured to interface
with the thread and engage with the lug retention area to retain
the closure in place over the opening. Other labels, bottles,
associated combinations, and associated methods are also
disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments will be illustrated by way of example, and not
by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar
elements.
FIG. 1 is a front, top, perspective view illustration a pharmacy
system including a plurality of bottles and a plurality of
closures, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front, top, and perspective view illustration of a
first bottle of the plurality of bottles in FIG. 1, according to
one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a rear, bottom, and perspective view illustration of the
first bottle of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustration of the first bottle of FIG. 2,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a rear view illustration of the first bottle of FIG. 2,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a right side view illustration of the first bottle of
FIG. 2, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a left side view view illustration of the first bottle of
FIG. 2, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of the first bottle of FIG. 2,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 9 is bottom view illustration of the first bottle of FIG. 2,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a detail view of a portion of the first bottle of FIG.
2, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a detail view of a portion of the first bottle of FIG.
4, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a detail view of a portion of the first bottle of FIG.
6, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 13 a cross-sectional view illustration of the first bottle
taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 8, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 14 a cross-sectional view illustration of the first bottle
taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 4, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a front, top, and perspective view illustration of a
child-resistant senior-friendly closure of the plurality of
closures in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a top view illustration of the child-resistant
senior-friendly closure of FIG. 15, according to one
embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a front view illustration of the child-resistant
senior-friendly closure of FIG. 15, according to one
embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a side view illustration of the child-resistant
senior-friendly closure of FIG. 15, according to one
embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a bottom, front, and perspective view illustration of
the child-resistant senior-friendly closure of FIG. 15, according
to one embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustration of the
child-resistant senior-friendly closure taken along line 20-20 in
FIG. 16, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a front, top, and perspective view illustration of an
assembled pharmacy container including the first bottle in FIG. 1
and the child-resistant senior-friendly closure of FIG. 15,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a rear, bottom, and perspective view illustration of an
assembled pharmacy container including the first bottle in FIG. 1
and the child-resistant senior-friendly closure of FIG. 15,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a detail of the
assembled pharmacy container taken along line 23-23 in FIG. 21,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a detail of the
assembled pharmacy container taken along line 24-24 in FIG. 22,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a front, top, and perspective view illustration of a
non-child-resistant closure of the plurality of closures in FIG. 1,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a top view illustration of the non-child-resistant
closure of FIG. 25, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a side view illustration of the non-child-resistant
closure of FIG. 25, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a bottom, front, and perspective view illustration of
the non-child-resistant closure of FIG. 25, according to one
embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustration of the
non-child-resistant closure taken along line 29-29 in FIG. 26,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a front, top, and perspective view illustration of an
assembled pharmacy container including the first bottle in FIG. 1
and the non-child-resistant closure of FIG. 25, according to one
embodiment.
FIG. 31 is a rear, bottom, and perspective view illustration of an
assembled pharmacy container including the first bottle in FIG. 1
and the non-child-resistant closure of FIG. 25, according to one
embodiment.
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a detail of the
assembled pharmacy container taken along line 32-32 in FIG. 30,
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustration of a detail of the
assembled pharmacy container taken along line 33-33 in FIG. 31,
according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments. The following
detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting
sense.
Embodiments described herein are directed to a pharmacy container
system that improves the ease of use of a child-resistant
senior-friendly (CRSF) and non-child-resistant (non-CR) closure for
the pharmacy container. In one embodiment, a pharmacy system
comprises a plurality of bottles and closures. The plurality of
bottles are sized and shaped to hold a different volume of
medication, such as pills, syrup, or other forms of medication. In
one embodiment, the plurality of bottles are provided in a number
of sizes. However, a neck of each of the different sized bottles is
sized substantially identical such that all sizes of bottles are
configured to receive the same closures. In one embodiment, other
common structure of the different sized bottles provide for
additional functions, such as label placement and alignment.
Forming the bottles with similar necks and associated components to
receive the same closures decreases the number of items needed in a
pharmacy inventory, which is desirable as it increases the ease of
stocking the pharmacy and the space needed to store the various
pharmacy system components. For example, in one embodiment, the
number of inventoried items in a system of three sizes of bottles
with CRSF and non-CR closures can be reduced from nine (e.g., three
bottles sizes, three differently sized CRSF closures, and three
differently sized non-CR closures) to five (e.g., three bottle
sizes, one size CRSF closure, and one size non-CR closure).
Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a pharmacy container
system 10 including a plurality of bottles 12 (including bottles
12a, 12b, and 12c, each being a different size), a CRSF closure 14,
and a non-CR closure 16. Both CRSF closure 14 and non-CR closure 16
are configured to securely fit with and be coupled to each of the
plurality of bottles 12, regardless of the specific bottle size. In
one example, a bottle 12 and CRSF closure 14 or non-CR closure 16
assembly is considered a pharmacy container. In one embodiment,
bottle 12a is a 17 dram bottle. In one embodiment, bottle 12b is a
40 dram bottle. In one embodiment, bottle 12c is a 60 dram
bottle.
FIGS. 2-14 illustrate various views of bottle 12a, which is the one
of the plurality of bottles 12 that is smallest in size, according
to one embodiment. Bottle 12a includes a body 20 and a neck 22
extending from body 20 and defining an opening 36 opposite body 20
providing access to a storage chamber 34 of bottle 12a for
containing a medication. As such, body 20 is one example of means
for containing medication in storage chamber 34.
In one embodiment, body 20 includes a front panel 24, a rear panel
26, a right side panel 28a, a left side panel 28b, and a spine or
bottom panel 30. Front panel 24 is positioned opposite rear panel
26, and one of side panels 28 extends between front panel 24 and
rear panel 26 on either side of bottle 12a to define storage
chamber 34 therebetween. Bottom panel 30 extends between front
panel 24, rear panel 26, and side panels 28 to enclose an end of
bottle 12a. In one embodiment, bottom panel 30 includes a
substantially planar center portion 38 such that bottle 12a can be
placed with bottom panel 30 on a support surface (not shown) and
bottle 12a will be supported by and extend upwardly from bottom
panel 30. In one embodiment, bottom panel 30 includes a shoulder
portion 39 extending between the substantially planar center
portion 38 and the front panel 24, rear panel 26, and side panels
28. In one embodiment, the substantially planar center portion 38
and the shoulder portion 39 of bottle 12a are configured to nest in
CRSF closure 14 or non-CR closure 16 to provide for stacking of
pharmacy containers.
Neck 22 extends away from a portion of bottle 12a opposite bottom
panel 30 to form an end of bottle 12a opposite bottom panel 30. In
one embodiment, body 20 of bottle 12a defines shoulders 32
extending from front panel 24, rear panel 26, and side panels 28 to
neck 22 opposite bottom panel 30. Neck 22 defines opening 36
through body 20, and opening 36 provides access to storage chamber
34 permitting medication to be placed in and be removed from
storage chamber 34 via opening 36. In one embodiment, neck 22 is
threaded (e.g., double threaded as depicted by threads 84a and
84b), and defines opening 36 through body 20 providing access
through neck 22 to storage chamber 34 such that threaded neck 22 is
configured to receive either CRSF closure 14 or non-CR closure 16
to cover opening 36. As such, neck 22 with opening 36 with threads
84 is one example of means for providing access to storage chamber
34 and for selectively receiving a closure (e.g., CRSF closure 14
or non-CR closure 16). Embodiments of neck 22 are further described
below.
In one embodiment, front panel 24 and rear panel 26 of body 20 each
define a substantially planar surface 40 and 42, respectively, that
is substantially rectangularly shaped, thereby defining a generally
flat, broad surface especially suited for reading information on
portions of a label (not shown) applied thereto. For example,
substantially planar surfaces 40 and 42 enable display of label
information in a manner in which all of the information printed on
a portion of a label applied to each of substantially planar
surfaces 40 and 42 can be read without turning or rotating bottle
12a.
In one embodiment, the relatively broad nature of substantially
planar surfaces 40 of front panel 24, rear panel 26, and side
panels 28 of body 20 enable a bottle 12 to be set down on its side
(i.e., not on one of CRSF closure 14, non-CR closure 16, or bottom
panel 30) onto a support surface without bottle 12a rolling along
the support surface. In particular, the breadth and relative
flatness of front panel 24, rear panel 26, and side panels 28
prevent rolling of bottle 12a when any one of front panel 24, rear
panel 26, and side panels 28 are placed directly on the support
surface.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, one panel of body 20 (left side
panel 28b as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7) further comprises a
raised region 48 extending between the bottom panel 30 and the
shoulder 32, along at least a portion of the panel. In one
embodiment, raised region 48 comprises a left edge 50 and a right
edge 52. Left edge 50 and right edge 52 define opposing lateral
boundaries of raised region 48. Accordingly, in some embodiments,
raised region 48 extends only partially longitudinally across a
portion of left side panel 28b of body 20. In one embodiment,
raised region 48 is configured to provide an alignment aid when
affixing a label to body 20 of bottle 12a. For example, a bottle
label (not shown) is positioned to extend over and be adhered to
substantially planar surface 40 around (e.g., on two or more sides
of) body 20 in a manner that information printed on the bottle
label is aligned such that text does not wrap around the body 20
(e.g., continuous text is readable on a single panel of the body so
the reader does not need to turn the bottle). In one embodiment,
bottle 12b and bottle 12c each include a raised region to provide
an alignment aid when affixing a label to the body of the bottle.
The alignment aid on the various sized bottles 12a, 12b, and 12c,
are configured such that labels affixed to different sized bottles
are vertically aligned when the bottom panel of the bottles are
placed on a support surface.
In one embodiment, front panel 24 and rear panel 26 are generally
symmetric with each other regarding a size and general shape (e.g.,
substantially rectangularly shaped) and side panels 28 are
generally symmetric with each other regarding a size and general
shape (e.g., substantially rectangularly shaped). In another
embodiment, front panel 24 and rear panel 26 are generally
asymmetric with each other regarding a size or a general shape and
side panels 28 are generally asymmetric with each other regarding a
size or a general shape.
Returning to a top portion of bottle 12a, in one embodiment,
shoulders 32, which extend inward from each of front panel 24, rear
panel 26, and side panels 28 to a centrally located neck 22, taper
inwardly to meet neck 22. Neck 22 defines an exterior neck surface
82, which is substantially smooth, in one embodiment. Where neck 22
is threaded to receive one or both of CRSF closure 14 and non-CR
closure 16, threads 84 extend circumferentially around the exterior
neck surface. Lugs 144 in CRSF closure 14 and lugs 224 in non-CR
closure 16 are configured to act as internal threads that engage
with the external threads 84 of neck 22 down the entire length of
travel to draw the closure down over the neck. In one embodiment,
two sets of opposing threads 84 are used to allow either of CRSF
closure 14 and non-CR closure 16 to be tightly held over neck 22
without requiring excessive rotation of CRSF closure 14 or non-CR
closure 16.
In one embodiment, rib 85a and rib 85b circumferentially extend
partially around neck 22. Rib 85a and rib 85b are positioned
between threads 84 and shoulder 32 of bottle 12a and connect to the
underside of threads 84 and acts as a reverse guide when lugs 144
in CRSF closure 14 are released from lug retention area 92. Rib 85a
and rib 85b each terminate at one end by extending into the lug
retention area 92b and 92a, respectively, to create bottom stops
87b and 87a that prevent lugs 144 in CRSF closure 14 and lugs 224
in non-CR closure 16 from moving below threads 84.
In one embodiment, a stop 86b is formed on neck surface 82 and
extends downwardly from thread 84b, protruding outwardly from a
sidewall of neck 22. In one embodiment, a stop 88b is similarly
formed on neck surface 82 and extends downwardly from thread 84b,
protruding outwardly from a sidewall of neck 22. In one embodiment,
corresponding stops 86a and 88a are formed on an opposite side of
neck 22. In one embodiment, stops 86 are configured to interact
with lugs 144 in CRSF closure 14 and lugs 224 non-CR closure 16 to
decrease over tightening or rotation of the corresponding CRSF
closure 14 and non-CR closure 16. In one embodiment, stops 88 are
configured to interact with lugs 144 in CRSF closure 14 and lugs
224 in non-CR closure 16 to retain the closure in place over the
opening. Stops 86 and 88 define a lug retention area 92 into which
lugs 144 of CRSF closure 14 and lugs 224 of non-CR closure 16 fit
when the closures are in place. In one embodiment, a ramped surface
90b is formed on neck surface 82 and extends along a bottom of
thread 84b to stop 88b. As illustrated, ramped surface 90b includes
an angled surface extending increasingly outwardly from neck 22
from a leading edge of ramped surface 90b, wherein the leading edge
is considered the first edge of the ramped surface 90b encountered
when a lug 144 in CRSF closure 14 or a lug 224 non-CR closure is
turned clockwise to tighten the respective closure around neck 22.
The ramped surface 90b is configured to lift and guide the lugs 144
in CRSF closure 14 and lugs 224 in non-CR closure 16 over stop 88b
and into lug retention area 92. In one embodiment, a corresponding
ramped surface 90a is formed on an opposite side of neck 22. Stops
86 and 88, lug retention area 92, and ramped surface 90 is one
example of means for receiving and/or retaining CRSF closure 14 or
non-CR closure 16. While depicted as a right-handed closure, it
should be understood that the threads may be reversed and the
closure may be tightened by turning counter-clockwise.
FIGS. 15-20 illustrate CRSF closure 14, according to one
embodiment. As illustrated, CRSF closure 14 includes a top panel
130, an inner sidewall or skirt 132, and an outer sidewall or outer
frame 134. As depicted, top panel 130 is square shaped, although
other suitable shapes are also contemplated, and defines an
exterior surface 136 and an interior surface 138 opposite exterior
surface 136. Skirt 132 generally follows the shape of top panel
and, in one embodiment, is separated into two skirt portions 132a
and 132b, the two skirt portions 132a and 132b flanking lugs 144.
In one embodiment, skirt 132 is coupled with, and extends
downwardly from the outermost perimeter of, top panel 130. In one
embodiment, skirt 132 is coupled with, and extends upwardly from
outer frame 134. Skirt 132, more particularly, defines an outer
surface 140, an inner surface 142 opposite outer surface 140, and a
bottom edge 143. Skirt portions 132a and 132b flank lugs 144 to
allow the lugs 144 to interface with threads 84 around neck 22 to
securely hold CRSF closure 14 on neck 22 and over opening 36.
In one embodiment, CRSF closure 14 additionally includes a ring 148
protruding downwardly from interior surface 138 of top panel 130
inside skirt 132. Ring 148 is configured to interface with neck 22
to seal opening 36 in a liquid-tight manner. In one embodiment,
neck 22 includes a chamfer 35 to aid in engagement of ring 148 into
the opening 36. While a particular seal geometry is depicted in the
example figures, it should be understood that additional geometries
may be used for the seal.
Outer frame 134 extends upwardly from the outermost perimeter of
skirt 132, in one embodiment, with a slight outward flare. In one
embodiment, outer frame 134 includes an outer surface 150, an inner
surface 152 opposite outer surface 150, and a bottom edge 153. As
illustrated, a void 154 is defined between outer surface 140 of
skirt 132 and inner surface 152 of outer frame 134. In one
embodiment, bottom edge 143a of skirt portion 132a is coupled with
a grip portion 156a of outer frame 134, between bottom edge 153 and
top edge 155, and bottom edge 143b of skirt portion 132b is coupled
with a grip portion 156b of outer frame 134, between bottom edge
153 and top edge 155, to create two lever points 141a and 141b.
Void 154 allows outer frame 134 to deform around lever points 141a
and 141b under outside forces to grip portion 156a and grip portion
156b of outer frame 134. In one embodiment, outer frame 134 extends
further away from top panel 130 than skirt 132 such that a bottom
edge 143 of skirt 132 is positioned nearer top panel 130 than a
bottom edge 153 of outer frame 134.
Outer frame 134, in one embodiment, includes opposing grip portions
156 on opposite sides of outer frame 134. The lever points 141a and
141b permit deflection of opposing grip portions 156 relative to
the rest of outer frame 134 when external force (e.g., pinching
between finger and thumb) squeezes the opposing grip portions 156
toward one another. The deflection of opposing grip portions 156
deforms outer frame 134 such that lug portions 158 of outer frame
134 move outward away from neck 22. The movement of lug portions
158 outward allows lugs 144 to release from lug retention areas 92a
and 92b such that CRSF closure 14 can be removed from neck 22.
In one embodiment, grip portions 156 are configured with various
features facilitating a user in gripping and squeezing the
appropriate portions of CRSF closure 14. Grip portions 156 include
grip ribs 160 which may bump out, as illustrated, to facilitate
proper grasping and squeezing of grip portions 156, according to
one embodiment.
In one embodiment, CRSF closure 14 includes additional features to
establish CRSF closure 14 as being child-resistant. In one
embodiment, the additional features include lugs 144 that engage
with lug retention areas 92 to secure CRSF closure 14. When lugs
144 are engaged with lug retention areas 92, stops 86 and 88 make
it substantially difficult, (i.e., near impossible for a person not
squeezing grip portions 156), to turn CRSF closure 14
counterclockwise to move lugs back over and past stops 88 to remove
CRSF closure 14 from bottle 12a. Lugs 144 include a leading edge
146 and a trailing edge 147, wherein the leading edge 146 is
considered the first edge of a lug 144 to encounter threads 84 or
stops 88 and 86 on neck 22 as CRSF closure 14 is turned clockwise
to tighten the respective closure around neck 22. Stop 86 is
configured to engage with leading edge 146 of a lug 144 in CRSF
closure 14 to decrease over tightening or rotation of CRSF closure
14. Stop 88 is configured to engage with trailing edge 147 of a lug
144 in CRSF closure 14 to secure CRSF closure as described
elsewhere herein.
In one embodiment, CRSF closure 14 additionally includes various
reinforcing fins 186 extending from inner surface 142 skirt 132.
Reinforcing fins 186 provide additional rigidity to CRSF closure 14
without impeding flexing of grip portions 156. For example, flexing
of grip portions 156 is used to allow an adult (e.g., a non-child)
to remove CRSF closure 14 from bottle 12a as described elsewhere
herein. Additionally, reinforcing fins 186 help guide CRSF closure
14 into position to be secured over neck 22. One example, of an
assembled pharmacy container including bottle 12a and CRSF closure
14 is illustrated with additional detail in FIGS. 21-24.
In one embodiment, CRSF closure 14 additionally includes indicia
(not shown) on exterior surface 136 of top panel 130 providing
instructions to a user for interacting with CRSF closure 14. For
example, indicia may include text and graphic indications
instructing a user to squeeze grip portions 156 and turn CRSF
closure 14 to remove CRSF closure 14 from bottle 12a to open bottle
12a and access its contents. In one embodiment, indicia are raised
(e.g., printed, embossed, molded, etc.) and protrude slightly
upwardly from exterior surface 136 of top panel 130. In one
embodiment, indicia are imprinted (e.g., etched, carved, punched,
etc.) and are recessed slightly within exterior surface 136 of top
panel 130.
FIGS. 25-29 illustrate a non-CR closure 16 for use on any of
bottles 12a, 12b, and 12c as an alternative to CRSF closure 14. In
one embodiment, non-CR closure 16 includes a top panel 210, a skirt
212, and an outer frame 214. As depicted, top panel 210 is square
shaped, although other suitable shapes are also contemplated, and
defines an exterior surface 216 and an interior surface 218
opposite exterior surface 216. Skirt 212 generally follows the
shape of top panel and, in one embodiment, includes lugs 224. In
one embodiment, skirt 212 is coupled with, and extends downwardly
from the outermost perimeter of, top panel 210. In one embodiment,
skirt 212 is coupled with, and extends upwardly from outer frame
214. Skirt 212, more particularly, defines an outer surface 220, an
inner surface 222 opposite outer surface 220, and a bottom edge
253. Lugs 224 interface with threads 84 around neck 22 to securely
hold non-CR closure 16 on neck 22 and over opening 36.
In one embodiment, non-CR closure 16 additionally includes a ring
228 protruding downwardly from interior surface 218 of top panel
210 inside skirt 212. Ring 228 is configured to interface with neck
22 to seal opening 36 in a liquid-tight manner.
Outer frame 214 extends upwardly from the outermost perimeter of
skirt 212, in one embodiment, with a slight outward flare. In one
embodiment, outer frame 214 includes an outer surface 230, an inner
surface 232 opposite outer surface 230, and a bottom edge 236. As
illustrated, a void 233 is defined between outer surface 220 of
skirt 212 and inner surface 232 of outer frame 214. Ribs 234
connect inner surface 232 of outer frame 214 to outer surface 220
of skirt 212 and prevent deformation of outer frame 214. In one
embodiment, bottom edge 253 of skirt 212 is coupled with outer
frame 214 between bottom edge 236 and top edge 235. In one
embodiment, outer frame 214 extends further away from top panel 210
than skirt 212 such that a bottom edge 253 of skirt 212 is
positioned nearer top panel 210 than a bottom edge 236 of outer
frame 214.
In one embodiment, non-CR closure 16 includes lugs 224 that engage
with lug retention areas 92 to secure non-CR closure 16. When lugs
224 are engaged with lug retention areas 92, lead ramp 229 on lugs
224 extends beyond lug retention area, such that lugs 224 do not
fully seat in lug retention area and allows the lugs 224 to release
easily from the lug retention area 92 without having to deform
outer frame 214 of non-CR closure 16. Lugs 224 include a leading
edge 226 and a trailing edge 227, wherein the leading edge 226 is
considered the first edge of a lug 224 to encounter threads 84 or
stops 88 and 86 on neck 22 as non-CR closure 16 is turned clockwise
to tighten the respective closure around neck 22. Stop 86 is
configured to engage with leading edge 226 of a lug 224 in non-CR
closure 16 to decrease over tightening or rotation of non-CR
closure 16. Stop 88 is configured to engage with lead ramp 229 of a
lug 224 in non-CR closure 16 to secure CRSF closure as described
elsewhere herein. While depicted as a right-handed closure, it
should be understood that the threads may be reversed and the
closure may be tightened by turning counter-clockwise.
In one embodiment, non-CR closure 16 additionally includes indicia
(not shown) on exterior surface 216 of top panel 210 providing
instructions to a user for interacting with non-CR closure 16
and/or indicating that non-CR closure 16 is not child-resistant. In
one embodiment, indicia are raised (e.g., printed, embossed,
molded, etc.) and protrude slightly upwardly from exterior surface
216 of top panel 210. In one embodiment, indicia are imprinted
(e.g., etched, carved, punched, etc.) and are recessed slightly
within exterior surface 216 of top panel 210. In one embodiment,
non-CR closure 16 is identified as not child-resistant by differing
in color from CRSF closures (e.g., non-CR closure may be grey while
CRSF closure is white). In one embodiment, surface of non-CR
closure 16 may include texture to identify the closure as not
child-resistant. FIGS. 30-33 illustrate an assembled pharmacy
container including bottle 12a and non-CR closure 16.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described
herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations
may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and
described. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or
variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.
* * * * *
References